7 Reasons to Become a Project Manager

A career in project management checks off all the boxes. Job security? Check. Generous paycheck? Check. Challenging and rewarding? Check, and check. If you’re looking for a career, and not just a job, learn why you should become a project manager.

Strong job market

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth between 2012 and 2020 is expected to be greater than 19 percent. Why? The world is getting smaller thanks to technology connecting even the most distant corners of the globe. Businesses are expanding at a rapid rate and need project managers to keep everything under control. Not to mention many seasoned project managers will be retiring and their positions will need to be filled.

Competitive salary

Running a project is a lot like running a business. You have to manage a team, deal with clients, and make sure that you’re keeping everything on budget. The salary isn’t bad either. As with many careers, salaries range depending on the industry, location, and amount of experience you have. Construction project managers make an average of $74,000 while an IT project manager can earn $92,000 annually. For reference, the national average salary of project managers across the board is $89,000.

Freedom to find a field that interests you

There are only a handful of careers out there that allow you to truly explore your passion. Every industry performs projects and these projects need someone to keep a watchful eye on timelines and budgets. That’s where a project manager comes in. There are many different types of project managers, including: Engineering, IT, Healthcare, and Construction.

Every project is unique

When you think of an office job, your mind may automatically paint a picture of someone mindlessly clacking away on their keyboard in a cubicle. Project Managers not only face different challenges every day, they also have really diverse projects. After you have a few projects under your belt, you’ll feel like you can accomplish anything.

Make a difference

Have you ever had the feeling that what you do at work doesn’t really matter? You won’t as a project manager. Each project will produce tangible and intangible deliverables. Your boss will see how valuable you are to the company, and if you find yourself looking for a new position, you’ll have plenty of data to back up your strong performance.

Work with a diverse team

Project managers are fortunate to work with diverse teams. Because many office jobs nowadays have teams work in one cohesive unit, it’s rare that people work outside of their “bubble”. Project managers work with a variety of departments both within and outside of their organization. Depending on the project at hand, project managers may even work with teams across the globe.

Learn something new every day

Whether you’re the type of person who thrives in a classroom or prefers to learn by getting your hands dirty, there’s something for everyone when it comes to project management. Each day you’ll enhance your communication skills, hone your management strategy, and adapt to new technologies. You’ll also be working on different projects, which will teach you more about the industry you’re involved in. Do you want to develop your project management skills even more? Get a Certificate in Project Management, which will help you prepare for the Project Management Professional exam. Getting certified increases project managers’ salaries by about 16 percent.